26/11/2016

HH Sheikh Mohammed, HH Sheikh Mansoor congratulate riders

Veronica Simula, Winner

26 November 2016, Abu Dhabu, UAE ~ Italian riders dominated with a first and third place finish in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup, a Two-star FEI 120-km event held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 26 November 2016.

Veronica Simula riding the 13-year-old grey Arabian mare Poets Corner Zsa Zsa won the 4-stage 120-km ride in a time of four hours 29 minutes and 10 seconds.

In a tight finish Simula edged ahead of Nesreen Khasro Ali Khaled on the cross-bred Andariego, a mere three seconds separating the two while in third place was another Italian, Guilia Vigevani on the part-bred Arabian, Ankara. All three lady riders were given the keys to a 4WD each for their winning performance.

The ladies ride welcomed many international riders which finished 38, the last riding for the USA, Khadeejah Imani Sani on the bay Arabian Volvik Eldrocol in a ride time of 07:20:25.

“I’m delighted to be crowned with this prestigious trophy for the first time in my career. It was a tough and grueling race in all of its stages and it is a pleasure to win the title for the Al Jazira Stables,” Simula, the winner of the ladies ride said.

Speaking to the media HH Sheikh Mansoor said, “It was a fast and strong race. The competition is going to get tougher in the upcoming races. All these events are intended to prepare the riders for the big rides like the HH the President’s Cup and the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Cup.

“The riders did a very good job and they have strictly observed the rules and regulations. It is now an international event and more commitment to the international rules will be required to progress further in this regard.”

Dr. Abdulla Al Rais, Director General of the National Archives, Major Gen Dr. Ahmed Nasir Al Raisi, President of the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF), Mr. Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) along with other sponsors’ representatives gave away the trophies and prizes to the winners.